Those who don't learn from history . . .

When I think back to all the money I invested in the NBA's Vancouver Grizzlies, I can't help but think what a monumental waste of money it all was.

As a student with little money, I attended:

-The first ever Grizzlie game, a boring exhibition affair against Portland.

-The first ever victory, which was won by a last second basket by Chris King in another exhibition matchup.

-Vancouver's first ever regular season home win, an OT game against a young Kevin Garnett and the Timberwolves and many other games on top of these ones.

I actually had a winning record going a solid 16-14.

But there was the crap as well.

A ridiculous expansion agreement hindered the team, limiting the salary cap and chances at a first overall draft pick--lifeblood for an expansion franchise--ensuring that the team would perennially suck.

Despite the poor records, Vancouver did not have the league's worst attendance, yet the league still approved owner Michael Heisley's bid to relocate, even though Wal-Mart chief Bill Laurie was rejected for doing the exact same thing a year before.

And with that the team packed up and headed to Memphis, TN, leaving bitter fans like me behind.

My only exposure to the NBA in the years that followed was when fellow British Columbian and two-time MVP Steve Nash played and when there was a newsbit on expansion cousins the Toronto Raptors.

This past weekend the Victoria native held a charity basketball game to benefit his Steve Nash Foundation where it was announced that an exhibition game between No. 13's Phoenix Suns and the Seattle SuperSonics would occur at GM Place.

With word of the NBA's brief return, sports talk radio station the TEAM 1040 posted an online poll asking, "Would you like to see an NBA Franchise [back] in Vancouver?"

60 percent said yay, 40 percent said nay, though another permanent franchise in this city is not currently on the NBA's radar.

Despite my previous love affair with the Grizz I have no desire to see hoops back in this city.

Although the Loonie is a lot stronger, making the running of a franchise more affordable, some things haven't changed.

Players view Vancouver like a leper colony and their spoiled brat attitudes haven't changed either.

Players:

-Complained the lack of grocery shopping (George Lynch).

-Found reasons to avoid coming here as long as possible (Doug West)

-Spent a majority of the time injured (Doug Edwards).

- Threatened not to play if drafted (Steve Francis).

The economic landscape might have changed, but the NBA prima donna who has a sense of entitlement hasn't--hello Kobe Bryant.

I don't have the patience to see athletes whine and complain and spit on my hometown again.

Once David Stern resolves that little referee betting scandal and starts to consider whether to relocate the NBA's floundering franchises--which ironically enough includes the Memphis Grizzlies--I hope he doesn't look north of the 49th parallel.

Photo by Flickr user Fashionable Male.